Shock-absorbing wheel for motor cars



T. L. COURTNEY.

SHOCK ABSORBING WHEEL FOR MOTOR CARS. APPLICATION FILED SEPT.22,1920.

1,480,949,, Patented. Oct. 3, 1922. I

Patented Unit. 3:,

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TWQ-TI-IIRIDS T0 HUGH TRALIA.

Application filed September 252, 18ml T0 aZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that l, THOMAS Lnn COUBT- NEY, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, etc, residing at lVychitella, in

the State of Victoria, Commonwealth of Australia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sliock-Absorbing Wheels for Motor Cars; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

For motor cycles, motor cars, and other vehicles, there are provided by this inverv tion improved wheels having shock absorbing properties. When shocks occur by rea son of road inequalities, parts or the wheels move so as to absorb the shocks to a consi erable extent.

In the drawings herewith the application of the invention is illustrated but the corstruction may be varied in minor respects while retaining matter hereinafter claimed.

Figure l is a side view (omitting hall of a near side cheek) showing one form or the road wheel fitted to its axle which is supposed to be hearing the weight'oi a car.

Figure 2 is an end view in vertical section of the said road wheel, omitting the tension band hereinafter described.

Figure 3 shows the wheel body in vertical section, omitting its attachments.

Figure l shows in side view (omitting half of a near side cheek) the wheel modilied; and Figure 5 shows a vertical transverse section of the modified wheel, omitting its tension hand. These wheels are to be fitted to axles in any convenient manner, and each may have a solid or a pneumatic tyre.

In these drawings the road wheel axle 1 extends through a large hole 2, having a thickened circular rim 2 in the road wheel body 3, which has an outer circular rim 3 which carries any suitable t" re The said body may be apertured near the rim at reg ular intervals circumferentially by having, as in Figures 1 to 8, relatively large holes 5 which have circular or curved peripheries.

The wheel hub 6, has extending -from it an integral or separable check 6 which carries spaced equidistantly around it axles 6 each axle projecting inwardly and carrying s rotatable pulley 6 which has a channel for a tension band 18.

The wheel body 3 carries a series oi axles Serial No. 412,005.

each projecting, so as to carry a rotatable pulley 7 having also a channel for the tension band. 'lhc pulley channels are in one plane so that the flexible cable or tension band 18 will be reta ned in the grooves of both series of pulleys during travel. This tension b Cl or cable engages the pulleys of each groc ,c alt ately shown. The band is endless, or n T have ends drawn together more or less ti tly at the will of the user.

lit will be noted that the tension cable is free and uns ed at point, thus permitting llezriibility thcr o for its whole length and also permitting of a creeping action while in use, all of which tends to give better shock resisting qualities to the device.

.ln Figures 1 and 2 the wheel carries a cheel: 8 opposite to and spaced from cheek t 1 iittins against shoulder 9 on hub 6; y reason of its thickness acts in some cases (as in the case shown) as a spacing member.

fastened to the hub and to Cheek o check 6 bolts 10 and 6 All of the pulleys are located within a space 11 which is provided beti een the wheel. body, and a cheelr. ihe pulleys and the tension band are thus nell protected :troin iniury during travel of the wheel. The tension band 18 is fitted without slaclzness to the wheel while wheel body 3 18 located concentrically with axle i; but o ng" to its flexible nature the band allows t axle to rise fall some what dui travel of the wheel, the car weight depressi. fr it more or less. The movability of L. do in a vertical plane thus ensured causes the wheel to be shock absorba travel of the road or more pulleys 6 will contact with the rim of d acent hole 5' this i will oepend on the weight on the axle, the

n travel, and viola or the tension bane.

tween cheeks 6 and body- 3, is made by providing an annular flange 13 on body 3.

Having described this invention, What is claimed is 1. A shock absorbing road Wheel having a centrally apei'tured body enclosing the Wheel hub loosely and fitted With projecting axles carrying each a pulley, a cheek at each side of the body, one of said cheeks being an extension from the Wheel hub andsupporting a series 01"" axles, a series of pulleys each on a cheek supported axle and an endless tension band alternately engaging pulleys of each series, said band being free and unsecured at any point in its length whereby to permit it to have a creeping action, the pulleys and band being located, Within a chamber between the Wheel body and a check.

2. A shock absorbing road Wheel having a centrally apertured body enclosing the Wheel hub loosely and fitted with projecting axles carrying each a pulley, a cheek at each side 01 the body, one of said cheeks being aneX- tension from the Wheel hub and supporting a series of axles, a series of pulleys each on one of the last-mentioned axles, and an endless tension band alternately engaging the pulleys of each series, said band being free and unsecured at any point in its length w iereby to permit it to have a creeping action, the pulleys and band being located Within achamber between the Wheel body and a cheek. V

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

THOMAS LEE COURTNEY. 

